Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23
AUNT BETSY'S LEGACY.

"WeI. Fanny" said Tom, laying uo"n tttel
and looking at me across the table, "ths Is rum
start.'
.sHOw9, asked ignoring Toms way OF express
Ing himself which Is always more forcible than
elegant "what's the matter now, dear?'
"Why. here's a letter from your aunt, Miss
Betsy clayton, inviting herself to pay US q
VISIT
Nonsense, Tom
solemn fact, assure you But here-read the
epistle yourself, and then, perhaps, you will be
convinced" he added, for my face expressed not
only surprise but Ineredulity. "You know the
writing. OF cOurse?"
Eyes Il replied with a nervous little SILVER: "and
would Just as soon attempt to decipher Chaldean.
Besides IL remember Alright, the substance OF
Miss Betsys letters used TO be just as Grabbed as
the penmanship. Read IL for me, Tom"
Tom, my husband. Is a lawyer, and supposed to
be able TO decipher the most unintelligfble
scrawlS.
1.-The letter Is short, but very much to the
point. he said, taking 1t up again. Then he read:
"Nephew Thomas Carroll (since you have
married my niece, Frances Clayton suppose you
are my nephew, II there is anything In marrtage),
Ipurpose leaving my home, the Crags, on the
24th OF this month, and visiting my nieces,
Martha Scott, Ellen Warburton and Frances Car
roll In turn. intend staying one week with each,
and during that time purpose using every means
In my power TO discover their true characters anu
dispositions, with a view to bequeathing TO one
OF them the small sum OF money i have been
able 10 save from my inhOspitable little estate or
Craglands. My will Is made, only the names, for
which have left blanks, remaining to be hlled
In on the conclusion OF my visits Please inform
your wife OF my intention, and that on her con-
duct depends the prospect OF inheriting the saw
ings OF her aunt BETSY CLAYTON
asp. ST. have sent copies Of this letter to my
nieceS Martha and ETenr"
"WeIl, II certainly Is an extraordinary letter,
Tom, As far as know Aunt Betsy has not left
her cragS and mountains for twenty yearS-not
even when my father, her only brother, died, and
now TO think or her starting off first 10 Devon
shire then TO Norfolk, and then to come to us In
LODdOnl wonder II the old lady Will ever reach
the end OF her pilgrimage? II used TO be her proud
boast that she had never set foot In n steamboat
or railway train or darkcned the door OF any house
but her own for twenty years? Whatever shall
"Why, my DEAR bid her welcome OF courSe-es
tablish her in the best bedroom, find out what
she likes for dinner and otherwise endeavor 20 de-
II don't want 1t, and don't want her,"I said, a
little impatiently. You have no idea what a
horrid old lady Aunt Betsy is. Mamma was dread
fully afraid OF her, she used to Scold her so and
md fault with the housekeeping and cooking AMI
everything. I'm certain she win go rummaginy
through ali the closets and drawers, pOk1ng her
nose into the Kitchen and larder, and then Jane
win give notice, know she Will she can't bear
being interfered with Besides, Aunt Betsy al
ways dimes at u :30-think OF that, Toni"
why, that's nothing lassiel Have breakfast a
uCtle earlier, call luncheon dinner and dinner
supper-whats in a manner II 1t pleases the poor
old lady, we must try to manage It," said Tom
cheerfully.
torted, with q childish inclination to cry; ''She
AWAY scOlds and finds fault, nothing pleases her,
and she's so rude Tom We sha'n't be able TO ask
a soul to the house while she's here"
come, come, Fanny; it's not Ike you to make
mountain out OF a mole-hill. I've never seen
your aunt; but take it she's solitary unhappy
old lady, who has been seized with a sudden long
ing to see some OF her relatives. Not having {.
very high opinion OF human nature, she thinks IL
necessary TO hint that she has 1t in her power to
repay any kindness that may be shown her
Never mind the legacy, Fan; just make the ole
Elrl comfortable II you can, even though IL does
entail a little self-denial; remember, you have
pleasures OF which she knows nothing. Come,
ioos up little woman! Why, It's three weeks yet
And then Tom hustled on to the city Just as
sheerfully as If no cross, grumbling, faut.nnding
exaSperatfng old maiden aunt existed. OF course
he did not know that aunt Betsy had worried
poor mamma almost out OF her life, and never
boys, but only giris-how she regularly wrote
twice year abusing papa because he was the
geance on the three useless little minyes who
would doubtless some day marry and hand over
Desne 10 strangefs. NOT did Tom know how
were sold after mammals death, and the proceeds
divided between US children. She vowed then
pwned US; yet now here she was cody inviting
herself 70 pay us visit. still, II Tom had known
al TINS and OF every other ts OF Aunt
the most easy, goOd-natured fellow In the world;
but he forgot that 1t was who would have to stay
at home al day and bear the brunt OF the old
II believe I'm getting bad tempered myself" i
"ITs very Kind Of my husband not to OBJECT to INV
relative coming TO pay me visit; and Ii she does
leave US few hundreds, why, so much the bet
ter-thOugh, thank goodness, We don't need them.
and certainly shant go out OF my way to con-
ciliate her for the sake OF her money, Martha
and Ellen may do that; they were always greater
\ Mt nd
! believe she never forgave me for not being a
boy"
to have forgotten all about Aunt Betsy, and was
very much absorbed in some subject that kept him
silent all through dinner. Though We had been
married only four months, understood my hus-
bands ways and the expression OF his face thor
oughly. Whenever he had that far-away look In
his eyes, i knew he was thinking, and ALWAYS
took care not to disturb him. When he held the
door open for me after dinner, noticed that he
He MIN to
swering, and left him with strange uneasy
feeling that something had happened But when
and CHEEKY as usual We sang few duets to-
getner, tried new song, talked about a party to
sasiness and Miss Betsy, too.
The next three weeks passed quickly enough
for we were out good deal, and had friends ire
Ing now and again that Toms spirits were rather
variable; he always looked pale and tired when
he came home and attributed &c TO tronblesome
ceases" He did not contradict me. nor did he as
sert that he was specially busy. once or twice /
asked him IL he did not feel well: but he ALWAYS
replied that he was perfectly well, then he would
suddenly rouse himself ani be his old self again
SO the time passed I'LL the date mentioned by Aunt
Betsy for her arrival Tom reminded Inc OF it In
the morning at breakfast, and fancied he was
more grave and serious than usual.
"Be patient with the old lady, Fan, Who knows
DCt you may come In for the fortune? Martha
and Ellen are not likely to put themselves much
out OF the way FOR the sake OF few hundred they
have plenty OF their own"
'Fhen why should j, Tom?- / asked hastily
II have just the same fortune as my sisters ~
yes, little woman; but they both married com.
fOrtaoie weIl-to do farmers while you must needs
marry struggling young lawyer with only his
profession 10 depend upon. Anyhow fortune or
no fortune, make your aunt welcome dear. in all
prODdolnty she VIII never trouble You again,
II should think know how TO treat nv own
relatives without being lectured."I said TO NV.
sell, wiIulIy exaggerating Toms words III
Aunt Betsy does not like my behavior she can 60
back 10 CragIandS soon as she likes
In Tom had grumbIed uttle-said the old radv,s
WISH was pore or nuisance, a thing To De en-
0urtu Win the best grace possible might have
TAKEN the opposite view or IL, for believe am
naturally OF somewhat contrary disposition.
Out 10 be told 10 be- civil and polite 10 ANYBODY al
ways gives me q strange inclination TO be unusll-
ally rude and diSagreeable.
however, With Aunt Betsy resolved to be on
my dignity from the very first. dressed myself
with unusual care, and, as sat down in the draw
Ing room, i glanced at myself in the mirror and
Then round the room and smiled corDDlacpntIy
Our nome was no roomy Old farmhouse or square
gray stone ugly edifce, Ike the homes OF Martha
and Ellen, Dut pretty, mi-detached villa near
tne crystal Palace. Aunt Betsy would not sur
prlse me In Ragged kitchen carving boiled beef
"a ralf